Front plate holes

Damage Inc · 02-02-2006, 10:18 AM

Since I did Euro Delivery I'm stuck with 2 holes in my front bumper. Ordered bumper plugs, but I cant put myself up to putting these cheap little plugs on the front of my killer looking BMW! However the 2 holes in the bumper from ED look horrible. A local shope quoted me like $300 to fill and repaint the bumper, sounds like overkill.

Can I just fill them and use some touch up paint myself? I understand it wont be "perfect" but as long as it looks good from a couple feet away its better than my current options. If anybody can help me with:

1. What can I use to fill the holes with?
2. Where can I pick up some titan. silver touch up paint? I'm assuming the dealer would have some?

marketman · 02-02-2006, 10:23 AM

The dealer will have TS paint. Have your VIN number ready when you arrrive at the parts counter.

300 is overkill , BUT he was probably going to fill and paint the WHOLE BUMPER. And thats what he is supposed to do if you want it back to original.
Pony up the 30 bucks and buy a BMW vanity plate for the front and quit whining.

Damage Inc · 02-02-2006, 10:28 AM

I'm not whining, I'm looking for suggestions to help me get my car back to "original" state. IMO a front "vanity plate" takes away from the appearance of the car, and is cheesy. I would put on my euro plate before that.

Good suggestion on the paint, I'll drop by the dealer today. Any suggestions on filling the holes with some type of compound or something?

poldim · 02-02-2006, 10:44 AM

Yes, sticking a .5 x 1 foot bright white plate takes away from the look of the car. Thats why I removed mine and have 2 holes there. When I get the 50 dollar fix it ticket, I'll pay it and continue to drive without my front plate.

I suggest you leave it alone. I dont know how bad the ED holes are, but my holes are just screw holes and its better to not mess with them then screw it up big time and then have to repaint the bumper. Nothing is going to be like a factory paint job...

shimshimhada · 02-02-2006, 10:49 AM

The bumper plugs don't look that bad.

marketman · 02-02-2006, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poldim

Yes, sticking a .5 x 1 foot bright white plate takes away from the look of the car. Thats why I removed mine and have 2 holes there. When I get the 50 dollar fix it ticket, I'll pay it and continue to drive without my front plate.

I suggest you leave it alone. I dont know how bad the ED holes are, but my holes are just screw holes and its better to not mess with them then screw it up big time and then have to repaint the bumper. Nothing is going to be like a factory paint job...

Actually- A great Paint Tech dioing BMW spec paint work can paint and will produce a job that will EXCEED the quality of the original. Its done on almost every CPO BMW you see on the road.

Damage Inc · 02-02-2006, 10:56 AM

poldim - No front plates required in michigan so no worries there, the holes are quite small. To user the bumper plugs I will have to drill the holes larger...

shimshimhada - agreed, they're not that bad, but they're not going to work for me

Damage Inc · 02-02-2006, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marketman

Actually- A great Paint Tech dioing BMW spec paint work can paint and will produce a job that will EXCEED the quality of the original. Its done on almost every CPO BMW you see on the road.

Agreed. I'll see if somebody at the dealer will do it for $100, maybe I'll get lucky or something...

marketman · 02-02-2006, 11:35 AM

Check with the CPO/used car Manager --- He is the one who gets all that work done on those CPO's

vladinecko · 02-02-2006, 11:42 AM

is it is just me or did someone already post almost an identical thread this morning?

i think they got quoted $200 for fill and repaint.

ashecnc · 02-02-2006, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vladinecko

is it is just me or did someone already post almost an identical thread this morning?

i think they got quoted $200 for fill and repaint.

You are not dreaming

b311lee · 02-02-2006, 12:35 PM

where do you guys find out if your state requires to have front plates? i looked at the ohio dmv site and couldnt find it for the life of me....and if it is the law will my dealer force me to put it on, sorry i emailed my client advisor but he is out of town, and you guys seem to know more than most of them anyways..haha

ashecnc · 02-02-2006, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b311lee

where do you guys find out if your state requires to have front plates? i looked at the ohio dmv site and couldnt find it for the life of me....and if it is the law will my dealer force me to put it on, sorry i emailed my client advisor but he is out of town, and you guys seem to know more than most of them anyways..haha

I told mine about 1000 times no tag no tag no tag, so I didn't have one

we also don't require front tags here.

poldim · 02-02-2006, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b311lee

where do you guys find out if your state requires to have front plates? i looked at the ohio dmv site and couldnt find it for the life of me....and if it is the law will my dealer force me to put it on, sorry i emailed my client advisor but he is out of town, and you guys seem to know more than most of them anyways..haha

Maryland, Virginia and the District all require plates front and rear.

e90driver · 02-02-2006, 02:46 PM

Front plugs don't look bad, and most people who don't know about BMW's would think they are parking control sensors :P.

gos · 02-02-2006, 03:32 PM

Why not leave the ED plates on the front? Is that poser-ish?

Damage Inc · 02-02-2006, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gos

Why not leave the ED plates on the front? Is that poser-ish?

I dont think its "poser-ish" for me since I did pick my car up in Europe and have two super wide holes (euro plate is wider than US) to prove it

Chesmu · 02-02-2006, 05:14 PM

chek out the bumper plug DIY

e90rocks · 02-03-2006, 12:35 PM

Thanks for posting about this. I just e-mailed my dealer and made sure not to get a front plate/holder.

Speedy E90 · 02-03-2006, 12:43 PM

My dealer fixed the holes after ED. Its nicely done and repainted....

No plates in the front rule.

02-02-2006, 10:18 AM	#1
Damage Inc Lieutenant Colonel 790 Rep 1,925 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Nashville iTrader: (1)	Front plate holes - help! Since I did Euro Delivery I'm stuck with 2 holes in my front bumper. Ordered bumper plugs, but I cant put myself up to putting these cheap little plugs on the front of my killer looking BMW! However the 2 holes in the bumper from ED look horrible. A local shope quoted me like $300 to fill and repaint the bumper, sounds like overkill. Can I just fill them and use some touch up paint myself? I understand it wont be "perfect" but as long as it looks good from a couple feet away its better than my current options. If anybody can help me with: 1. What can I use to fill the holes with? 2. Where can I pick up some titan. silver touch up paint? I'm assuming the dealer would have some?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

02-02-2006, 10:23 AM	#2
marketman Private First Class 3 Rep 153 Posts Drives: 2000 323it Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Melbourne FL iTrader: (0)	The dealer will have TS paint. Have your VIN number ready when you arrrive at the parts counter. 300 is overkill , BUT he was probably going to fill and paint the WHOLE BUMPER. And thats what he is supposed to do if you want it back to original. Pony up the 30 bucks and buy a BMW vanity plate for the front and quit whining. __________________ Live now. THere will be plenty of time to be dead later.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-02-2006, 10:28 AM	#3
Damage Inc Lieutenant Colonel 790 Rep 1,925 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Nashville iTrader: (1)	I'm not whining, I'm looking for suggestions to help me get my car back to "original" state. IMO a front "vanity plate" takes away from the appearance of the car, and is cheesy. I would put on my euro plate before that. Good suggestion on the paint, I'll drop by the dealer today. Any suggestions on filling the holes with some type of compound or something?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-02-2006, 10:44 AM	#4
poldim Vroom Vrrooooom 300 Rep 3,146 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i Sedan [0.00] 2003 GSX-R 600 [0.00]	Yes, sticking a .5 x 1 foot bright white plate takes away from the look of the car. Thats why I removed mine and have 2 holes there. When I get the 50 dollar fix it ticket, I'll pay it and continue to drive without my front plate. I suggest you leave it alone. I dont know how bad the ED holes are, but my holes are just screw holes and its better to not mess with them then screw it up big time and then have to repaint the bumper. Nothing is going to be like a factory paint job... __________________ -Dmitriy 06' BMW 330i & 03' Suzuki GSX-R600 SG \| Beige Dakota \| Poplar \|\| iDrive w/MP3 \| PP \| SP \| CWP \| PDC \| Comfort \| Shades \|\| 40% Tint \| Black Line Tail Lights \| Hardwired V1
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-02-2006, 10:49 AM	#5
shimshimhada Brigadier General 442 Rep 4,838 Posts Drives: Portal Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portal iTrader: (2)	The bumper plugs don't look that bad.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-02-2006, 10:56 AM	#7
Damage Inc Lieutenant Colonel 790 Rep 1,925 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Nashville iTrader: (1)	poldim - No front plates required in michigan so no worries there, the holes are quite small. To user the bumper plugs I will have to drill the holes larger... shimshimhada - agreed, they're not that bad, but they're not going to work for me
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-02-2006, 11:35 AM	#9
marketman Private First Class 3 Rep 153 Posts Drives: 2000 323it Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Melbourne FL iTrader: (0)	Check with the CPO/used car Manager --- He is the one who gets all that work done on those CPO's __________________ Live now. THere will be plenty of time to be dead later.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-02-2006, 11:42 AM	#10
vladinecko Brigadier General 281 Rep 3,924 Posts Drives: '11 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [9.00] 2008 BMW 335i [0.00] 2006 BMW 330i [0.00] 1994 BMW 325i [0.00]	is it is just me or did someone already post almost an identical thread this morning? i think they got quoted $200 for fill and repaint. __________________ 2011 E92 M3 - IB/Beige/Sycamore Wood/6MT/EDC/ZPP2/Nav/PDC/Heated Seats/iPod-USB/Enh. Audio 2008 E92 335i - Montego Blue/Black/Gray Poplar/6MT/ZPP/ZSP/Nav/PDC/Heated Seats/HDRadio/iPod-USB - *Sold* 2006 E90 330i - Mystic Blue/Black/Aluminum/6MT/ZPP/iDrive/PDC/Heated Seats/Sat. Prep - *Sold* 1994 E36 325i - Boston Green/Beige/Automatic/ZPP/Heated Seats/Premium Sound - *Sold*
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-02-2006, 12:35 PM	#12
b311lee Private First Class 7 Rep 133 Posts Drives: .::330i zsp::. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	where do you guys find out if your state requires to have front plates? i looked at the ohio dmv site and couldnt find it for the life of me....and if it is the law will my dealer force me to put it on, sorry i emailed my client advisor but he is out of town, and you guys seem to know more than most of them anyways..haha __________________ 330i/ 6spd MT/ Sports Package/ Premium Package/ Sparkling Graphite/ Terra Leather/ Heated Seats/ Comfort Access/ Pinnacle 15 Tint
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-02-2006, 02:46 PM	#15
e90driver Lieutenant 14 Rep 502 Posts Drives: 06 325i, 08 328xi Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Front plugs don't look bad, and most people who don't know about BMW's would think they are parking control sensors :P. __________________ see ya 06 325i. IT'S HERE!- 08 E92 328xi, Premium, Auto, Cold- Montego Blue
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-02-2006, 03:32 PM	#16
gos Captain 27 Rep 959 Posts Drives: E90 330xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	Why not leave the ED plates on the front? Is that poser-ish?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-02-2006, 05:14 PM	#18
Chesmu Brigadier General 89 Rep 3,011 Posts Drives: 2013 X6 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Phoenix,AZ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	chek out the bumper plug DIY __________________ "Teach the ignorant. Ignore the stupid."
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-03-2006, 12:35 PM	#19
e90rocks Myrmidon 17 Rep 236 Posts Drives: Entwicklung 90 - 325 Xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325 xi [0.00]	Thanks Thanks for posting about this. I just e-mailed my dealer and made sure not to get a front plate/holder.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-03-2006, 12:43 PM	#20
Speedy E90 330 Sport, Comfort, Winter, Navi, Carbon Fiber Lip, Sparkling Graphite, Beige Leather, V710 23 Rep 155 Posts Drives: BMW E90 330 sport Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Washington D.C., sometimes Durham, NC iTrader: (0)	My dealer fixed the holes after ED. Its nicely done and repainted.... No plates in the front rule.
	Appreciate 0 Quote